Katrina Owens
Lakeside Leader

ATCO Electric donated $5,000 to the Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service last week.
According to an ATCO media release, “The donation will be used to help relocate the Slave Lake live fire training centre from its current site to the new 15-acre emergency operations centre location.”
Chance Herring, senior manager of the ATCO north districts, says, “ATCO has an extensive history with the Lesser Slave Regional Fire Service. Not only did we work closely together during the 2011 wildfires, but numerous ATCO employees, including myself, have volunteered with the fire service while we worked in Slave Lake. This is an important community for ATCO and we’re pleased to help enhance community safety with today’s donation.”
Terry Tonsi, an ATCO electric distribution manager for Slave Lake and a captain in the Lesser Slave Regional Fire Services, echoes Herring.
“The relationship between ATCO and our Slave Lake firefighters might be closer than any other community in the province,” he says. “So many of our employees have worked with the department or taken part in emergency management exercises, and when we respond together to an emergency we’re able to take care of it quickly and effectively due to our experience working together.”
“ATCO has always been a great partner and excellent community sponsor” says Fire Chief Jamie Coutts.
There are six local ATCO employees that volunteer with the fire service, ranging in positions from management, to gas servicemen to power linemen.